Space-Based Power Station

[j05h]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>What problem are you trying to solve ?Unless you have some process in mind that is much more efficient than the solar cells normally used for power of earth satellites, then you are not only going to incur the cost associated with having basically the same area of solar cells required for the individual satellites but also the losses of transmission, plus the weight of the transmitting and receiving antennae.&nbsp; The large receiving antennae being discussed will be a challenge in themselves.&nbsp; Large membrane structures in a vacuum can get into unstable "flapping" modes so you have to take care of that aspect of the design as well.The tranmitting antennas are going to be fairly complicated as well, since I presume that you would be serving many satellites simultaneously.&nbsp; What do you have in mind, some sort of&nbsp;steerable phased array arrangement ?This sounds like a very compllicated solution in search of a problem.&nbsp; <br /> Posted by DrRocket</DIV><br /></p><p>Some SPS discussion has focused on using integrated-circuit tunable microwave arrays. These would be large flat antennae able to track multiple target receivers moving simultaneously. Depending on specifics this type of circuit transmitter could be integrated into the same strucuture as the power generator. Ideal system produces multiple phased microwave beams, preferably in multiple power levels. Whatever technology, location has strong influence on design. Choosing an Earth-Sun Lagrange point for instance would enable a power station that is optimized to have one face Sun-pointing and the other facing cis-Lunar space. That would be a much, much larger structure than the original post. </p><p>A 10MW SPS could be made now using either PV or Sterling engines (solar dynamic) and inflatable L'Garde style antennae. Probably best to focus on several high-power applications such as space station support. Focus on a common set of needs (baseline power) and optimize for that. Maybe an L-point or some kind of polar orbit? If the customer satellite can store power for a time it makes SPS positioning much easier - GEO or L1, serviced by one of it's customer stations.</p><p>Josh </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div align="center"><em>We need a first generation of pioneers.</em><br /></div> </div>

 

[keermalec]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>I believe the best thing to do is to use the energy to split water to oxygen and hydrogen. This can then be sold to moonfarers and anyone who is intressted in interplanetary journeys. This will definetly make you a buck or maybe even a vaultload! The problem is of course where to get the water initially. Now consider what a kg of water costs to ship to LEO and then consider how much you could charge for the splitted water + your expenses for the powerstation... The energy is free! Seems to be a rocker to me! I'll sign at once for this kind of a mission. The next thought that gets in my mind is that if we control a comet - then another cost will vanish for a very long time filling even a bigger vault . This vault can then be used to catch an metal rich asteroid, dig it through and make it into an decent size space station with shipyards, laboratories, hotels and - whatever you want! Keep it spinnig to provide at least 0.5G's at the radius of the living quarters and with the poles pointing one at the earth and the other one towards the Sun. The pole towards the sun is where you build your new powerstation. Of course with whatever parts that are usable from the old one... Unless further investigations show that the need for propellants is so big that one station isn't enough. The comet we catched earlier is now nearby this pole behind an artificial shade to prevent it from dissintegratin into space. Enterprises that seeks room at the station will have to pay for the excavations and services needed to fulfill their needs - and the will be many willing to do so. Now, the things we need that is not in place yet. 1. A model that lets us slow down a comet in a controlled way with the goal of get it rested at one of the lagrande points... Or for that matter where ever we want it to rest. There is certainly some periods of the comet track that is more rewarding to slow down or speed up than others. It's all about <br />Posted by InventorWannabe</DIV><br /><br />I don't think that rotating a cosmic body to produce artificial gravity is feasible. Remember the gravity of such a body is very very low and recent theories tend to&nbsp;support the view&nbsp;that they are just piles of rubble very loosely held together, not compact, one-piece masses with strong tensile strength. This means that rotating&nbsp;them would very probably pull&nbsp;them apart.</p><p>Concerning the power production in orbit idea, I also believe the advantages of producing solar power where needed outweigh the inconvieniences of producing it centrally and distributing it by beaming. Higher power&nbsp;beams through space are simply not cost effective with present-day technology. The huge receving stations will cost much more than the (potiential) savings incurred by centralization.</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>“An error does not become a mistake until you refuse to correct it.” John F. Kennedy</em></p> </div>